How To Reach Kodaikanal

There is nothing more exhilarating than exploring an unknown place and Kodaikanal definitely is one place to explore. Kodaikanal, which means 'gift of the forests', is the perfect summer retreat that boasts of enchanting scenic views and green slopes. Besides honeymoon couples, even children, elders, nature lovers and travel freaks come here to savor nature's mesmerizing charm and enjoy the cool breeze. Now, before you pack your bags and head off to Kodaikanal, it's important to have an insight about different ways to reach Kodaikanal. Today, you no more need geographical maps and befuddling compasses to discover the routes and land in the right place, as there are different modes of transportation available to make your journey obstacle-free. So, don't ponder much or beak your head thinking about how to reach Kodaikanal as it is easily accessible and quite well-connected. Given below are some of the ways you can opt for to reach this pictorial place.

Ways To Go To Kodaikanal

By Air
Kodaikanal doesn't have any airport of its own. But then, the good news is that there are airports in Madurai and Coimbatore, which are just a few hours' drive away from Kodaikanal. Madurai is linked to all the key cities and other small cities of India by daily flights. The popular airlines operating from Madurai are Indigo, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Red, Go Air, Jet Airways Connect, Air India-IC, Go Business, Jetlite and Jet Airways. Once you reach the airport, hire taxis or private buses to reach the hill station. Generally, taxi cabs charge Rs 4000/- from Coimbatore and Rs 2500/- from Madurai. Try bargaining as much as possible!

Road
There are plenty of bus services that ply regularly from cities of Bangalore, Kochi, Madurai, Palani, Tiruchirapalli, Kumuli and Coimbatore. Depending on your pocket and convenience, you can select to travel by deluxe, A/C luxurious buses, minibuses or sleeper buses. The fare generally ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 450 per person. However, unfortunately, there are no direct buses available from Kerala and the only option of reaching your dream destination is by hiring a taxi. Most of the buses are run by private operators and Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation.

Rail
Well, if you don't want to commute by buses or airlines, then travelling by rails is the best and the safest option. The nearest railway stations are Kodai Road railway station (80 km), Palani railway station (64 km), and Dindigul railway junction (120 km). Once you reach the railway station, you can catch either taxis or local buses, which will safely take you to the town. These railway stations are interlinked to Madurai and Chennai, which in turn are connected to all the majority destinations in India. To reach Kodai Road station from Bangalore, catch the Tuticorn Express that runs on all the days. From Chennai, you can aboard the Pandian or the Pearl City Express.

Local Transportation
To see the sightseeing places in and around Kodaikanal, opt for local taxis or board private mini buses. Some of the shops rent mountain bikes and bicycles for those who have adventurous steak in them. So pick your ride and get exploring!